Mechanically set well packer apparatus



Feb. 1, 1966 G. E. THRANE 3,232,347

MECHANICALLY SET WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed May 7, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheetl GoDo/v Ei rroe/veys.

Feb. 1, 1966 G. E. THRANE MECHANICALLY SET WELL PACKER APPARATUS FiledMay '7, 1962 F1160 gaa r roe/VE ys.

Feb. l, 1966 G. E. THRANE 3,232,347

MECHANIGALLY SET WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed May '7, 1962 5Sheets-Sheet@ lill-'76,;

IN V EN TOR. 001@ 0^/ E ZZ/Q/QNE A7 rra/@NE YS Feb. 1, 1966 G. E. THRANE3,232,347

MECHANICALLY SET WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed May '7, 1962 v 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 1, 1966 G. E. THRANE 3,232,347

MECHANIGALLY SET WELL PACKER APPARATUS Filed May '7, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet5 INVENTOR. GORDO/v f1/@HNE United States Patent O 3,232,347MECHANICALLY SET WELL PACKER APPARATUS Gordon E. Thrane, La Mirada,Calif., assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., acorporation of California Filed May 7, 1962', Ser. No. 192,822 24Claims. (Cl. 166-136) The present invention relates to subsurface wellbore apparatus, and more particularly to well packers, s-uch as bridgeplugs, production packers, cementing packers, and the like, adapted tobe set in well -bores to perform certain desirable operations orpurposes thererwithin.

An. object of the present invention is to provide a well apparatus, suchas wellpacker apparatus, having normally retracted slips, or the like,which are positively held in retracted position until their outwardexpansion is desired, and in which vthe slips cannot be released andexpanded prematurely.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rwell apparatus, such aswell packer apparatus, having normally retracted segmental slipskpositively held in retracted position until their outward expansion isdesired, and in which the segmental slips are prevented from movinglongitudinally with respect toeach other when in retracted position.

A further object of the invention is to` provide a well apparatus, suchas well packer apparatus, having normally retracted slips, or the like,and embodying a mechanism for positively holding the slips in retractedposition until their outward expansion is desired, in which themechanism also assist in anchoring the slips against the wall of thewell casing in which the apparatus is run.

An additional object of the invention is to provide well apparatus, suchas well packer apparatus, having normally retracted slips and a tool forpreventing and effecting outward expansion of the slips, which tool ismade eliective Iby rotating, through a substantial number ofrevolutions, a running-in string on which the apparatus is lowered in awell bore, wherein inadvertent rotation of the running-in string isstill incapable of actuating the tool and releasing the slips foroutward expansion, the tool being rotatable periodically in a reversedirection, if desired, to insure its return to its initial positionpreventing slip expansion.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from'a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the pre-sent specication. It will nowybe described in detail, for the purpose. of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURES 1a, 1b and 1c together constitute a combined longitudinalsection and side elevational view through an apparatus disposed in awell casing, with the parts in the initial position Ithey occupy whenlowering the apparatus in the well casing, FIG. 1b constituting a lowerextension of FIG. 1a, and FIG. 1c constituting a lower extension of FIG.1b;

FIGS. 2a and 2b together constitute partial longitudinal sections, on anenlarged scale, through a portion of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS.1b and 1c, FIG. 2b being a lower extension of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3 is a View similar to FIG. 2a illustrating the parts in` anotherrelative position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 4 4 on FIG. 1b;

FIG. S is a side elevational View of a portion of the 3,232,347 PatentedFeb. 1, 1966 "ice apparatus, part being broken away to show interiorelements;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2b illustrating parts in anotherrelative position and with the slips released and expanded against thewell casing;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken along the line 7 7 on FIG. 2b;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken along the line 8 8 on FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 9 9 on FIG. 1b;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view of a portion of theapparatus;

FIG. 1l is a partial longitudinal sectional View of the well packerfully anchored in packed-off condition within the Well casing.

As disclosed in the drawings, it is desired to run a subsurface welltool A, such as a well packer, in a well casing B on a suitable settingtool C through use of a tubular running-in string D, such as a string oftubing or drill pipe, extending to the top of the well bore containingthe casing. Initially, portions of the well packer A are in retractedposition. When the packer has been lowered to the desired setting pointin the well casing, such parts are released and expanded outwardlytoward the well casing.

The well packer apparatus A includes a body 10, which may be tubular,the lower portion of which may be constituted as a guide 11 threaded onthe main portion of the body, and on which rest a plurality of segmentallower slips 12 having wickers or teeth 13 facing in a downward directionto anchor the well packer against downward movement in the well casing.These lower slips 12 have inner surfaces 14 inclined in a downward andinward direction, engaging a companion external surface 15 on a lowerexpander 16 mounted on the body. The lower slips are initially held inretracted position by shear screws 1 7 securing them to the lowerexpander 16, the latter being initially secured to the body 1) by shearscrews 1S, When the lower slips 12 are in retracted position,inadvertent shearing of the screws 17 holding them to the lower expander16, and their inadvertent outward expansion, are prevented by a splitring 19 disposed in an internal groove 20 in the slips, which ringengagesa downwardly facin y shoulder 21 on the body.

The upper end of the lower expander 16 engages the lower portion of apacking structure 23, such as a rubber or rubber-like packing sleeve,surrounding the body 10, the upper end of which engages an upperexpander 24 initially releasably secured to the body by one or moreshear screws 25 and having an external expander surface 26 inclinedupwardly and inwardly, which is companion to corresponding internalsurfaces 27 on a plurality of upper segmental slips 28 surrounding theupper portion of the body 19. Upward shifting of the upper expander 24along the body is prevented by its engagement with a Split ring 29having internal upwardly facing ratchet teeth 30 meshing with companiondownwardly facing external ratchet teeth 31 on the body. The stop ring29 can be slipped downwardly on the body into snug engagement with thedownwardly tapering portion 32 of the upper expander after the shearscrews 25 have been assembled in place, to secure the upper expander tothe packer body.

For the purpose of holding the slips 12, 28 and packing 23 anchored inpacked-01T condition against the well casing, asplit lock ring 33 isprovided, which has internal ratchet teeth 34 facing in an upwarddirection and adapted to mesh with companion downwardly facing ratchetteeth 35 on the periphery of the body 10. The lock ring has external camsurfaces 36 adapted to engage companion cam surfaces 37 in the expander24vthe cam surfaces tending to urge the ratchet teeth into mesh with oneanother. However, upward movement of the body relative to the lock ring33 can expand the ring outwardly, since there is suiicient lateral playbetweenthe cam surfaces 36, 37. The lock ring arrangement forms no partof the present invention and may assume any suitable form. It isprovided to allow upward movement of the body 10 relative to the upperexpander 24, but to prevent downward movement of the body relativethereto.

The upper segmental slips 28 have teeth 38 facing in an upwarddirection, the slips coacting with the upper expander 24 and engagingthe casing B to anchor the 'well packer A against upward movementtherewithin. These slips are held initially in a retracted positionagainst the body 10, their upper ends initially engaging a ring 39threaded on the upper end of the body. A retainer ring 40 is mounted onthe body between its upper ring 39 and an upwardly facing body shoulder41, an external ring flange 42 being received within an internal groove43 in the' upper portion of the slips 28 to prevent them from droppingdownwardly along the body 10 when the slips are in their fully retractedposition, such as disclosed in FIGS. 1b and 2b. However, when the slips28 expand outwardly, they are disconnected from the retainer ring flange42, allowing the body 10 and the ring 40 to move upwardly relative tothe slips. Such outward expansion of the slips 28 is produced by aspring device mounted within an internal circumferential groove 44 inthe slips. As shown, the spring mechanism comprises several overlappinglengths 45 of spring band material, which normally tend to assume astraight condition, but which are assembled into the arcuate conditionillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. An end 46 of each spring length isreceived in one of a plurality of longitudinal internal weakeninggrooves 47 in a slip segment 28, such spring extending along thecircumferential groove in the same slip segment and across the gap 48between adjacent slip segments and substantially along the entire lengthof the circumferential groove 44 of the adjacent segment. The springband members 45 are arranged in overlapping relation as shown, and byvirtue of tending to straighten out, they are exerting a constant springforce urging the slips outwardly. Since they extend within thecircumferential groove 44 from one slip segment to an adjacent slipsegment, they also collectively tend to hold the slips 28 in transversealignment with respect to one another. The spring band elements 45 havea width corresponding to the longitudinal extent of the internal slipgroove 44, having a working clearance with the sides of the groove, sovas to avoid interference with the freedom of the slips 28 to expandoutwardly when permitted to do so.

, The setting tool C includes a tubular mandrel or inner tubular member50 adapted to be threadedly secured to a coupling 51 forming the lowerend of the tubular running-in string D of drill pipe or tubing extendingto the top of the hole. This mandrel has a lower section 52 threadedlysecured to its upper section 50, which is piloted 'within the upperportion of the packer body 10 and which has a nut member 53 mountedthereon and rotationally coupled thereto, as by securing a longitudinallkey 54 on themandrel member received within a cornpanion longitudinalgroove or keyway 55 in the nut. The threaded nut 53 engages a flange 56on the mandrel, the lower end of the mandrel engaging an upwardly facingshoulder 57 on the body 10. The nut 53 is adapted to be threaded into anupper threaded box 58 of the body member 10. When the nut is fullythreaded within the body member, the lower end 56 of the mandrel engagesthe body shoulder 57, thereby securing the mandrel 50 to the body 10against movement in both directions with respect thereto. However, themandrel 50 can be rotated, after the well packer has been anchored inpacked-olf condition in the well casing B, the exertion of sufficienttorque on the tubular string D and mandrel turning the threaded nut andeffecting its upward threading and complete disconnection frorn thethreaded box 58. Since the threaded interconnection between the nut andbody is preferably a left-hand one, right-hand rotation of the tubularstring and mandrel will disconnect the mandrel 50 from the packer body10. Y

Surrounding the mandrel 50 is a device which retains the upper slips 28in their initial retracted position, but which can be actuated throughappropriate manipulation of the tubular string D and mandrel 50 torelease the slips for outward expansion under the influence of thesprings 45, and in which inadvertent release cannot occur readily. Themechanism surrounding the mandrel can also assist in securing theanchoring engagement of the upper slips 28 with the wall of the wellcasing B.

A disclosed, the slip retaining and slip setting mechanism surroundingthe mandrel includes a lower portion 60l of a setting sleeve structure61, which surronds the upper body ring 39 and which also surrounds theupper portion of the slips 28, holding the latter inwardly against thebody 10 `and in a position in which their upper internal circumferentialgroove 43 receives the external holding flange 42 of the retainer ring40. Relative rotation between the slips 28 and the setting sleeve 60cannot occur when the latter encompasses the slips by virtue of asubstantially radial lock screw 62 threaded in the upper portion of eachslip 28 and extending into a longitudinal slot 63 in the lower portionof the setting sleeve. For that matter, relative rotation between theslips 28 and the packer body 10 cannot occur when the slips are inretracted position because of 'the securing of generally radial pins 64to the body which extend into the spaces between adjacent slips. Thus,any rotation of the body 10 will be transmitted through the pins 64 tothe slips 28, and from the slips through the screws 62 to the settingsleeve structure 61.

The lower section 60 of the setting sleeve structure has its upperportion threadedly secured to the lower end of an upper section 66 ofthe setting sleeve, which surrounds the mandrel 50. Relative rotationbetween the upper section 66 of the setting sleeve land the mandrel isprevented by a screw or key 67 secured to the mandrel and extending in alongitudinal slot or keyway 68 in the upper sleeve section. Thus,rotation of the mandrel 50 can be transmitted to the setting sleevestructure 61, while longitudinal movement -of the mandrel 50 withrespect to the setting sleeve structure can occur when ythe parts havebeen conditioned to permit such relative longitudinal movement. lInitially, relative longitudinal movement between the setting sleevestructure 61 and the mandrel 50 lis prevented by a lock structure, toprevent the mandrel 50 from shifting the well packer A downwardly withrespect to the setting sleeve structure and thereby removelthe upperslips 28 from under the setting sleeve section 60, under which conditionthe springs 45 wouldy expand the upper slips outwardly. The lockstructure, which is releasable when the upper slips 28 are to beexpanded, includes =a nut 70 received within an enlarged diameterportion 71 of the upper setting sleeve section 66, and which has aninternal thread 72 meshing with an external v thread 73 on the mandrel50, the nut also having an external thread 74 meshing with an internalthread 75 in the upper enlarged portion 71 of the setting sleeve section66. Since the nut 70 is threadedly connected initially to both themandrel 50 and the setting sleeve structurey 61, relative longitudinalmovement therebetween cannot occur. v However, the nut'70 can bethreaded relatively along Vthe mandrel and the setting sleeve, fully outof threaded meshA with their respective threaded portions, when theupper slips 28 are to be released for expansion, by' rotating themandrel relative to nut.

Rotation of the nut 70 is resisted by a drag device 76. As shown, thedrag device includes circumferentially spaced outwardly bowed springs 77adapted to frictionally engage the wall of the well casing B, the upperends of the springs being secured to an upper collar 78 slidable on themandrel Sil, the springs being `held in position on the .upper collar bya retainer ring 79 and by screws 36 attaching the retainer ring to theupper collar. The lower ends of the outwardly bowed drag springs 77 aresecured .to a lower collar 81 slidable on the mandrel 50 by va .lowerretainer ring 82 secured to the lower collar'by `screws 83. This lowercollar '81 is attached to a control sleeve 84 by a plurality of capscrews 85, the control `sleeve extending downwardly toward the settingsleeve structure 61. The lower portion of the control sleeve is slottedto provide a pluralityof longitudinal arms 86 extending throughcompanion circumferentially spaced eX- ternal longitudinal slots 87 inthe control nut 70, the arms terminating in inwardly directed lingers 8Sdisposed under the nut. It is apparent that the engagement of the arms86 with the sides of the nut slots 87 prevents relative rotarymovementbetween the nut and the arms, although relative longitudinalmovement therebetween can occur.

Initially, the nut 70 is in its upper position along the mandrel 5d infull threaded mesh therein, binding of the nut on the mandrel beingprevented by a longitudinal face 89 at the upper end of the nut engaginga rotational stop element 90 secured to the mandrel Sil. The length ofinternal thread 75 on the setting and holding sleeve structure 61 issubstantially greater than the length of thread 73 on the mandrel, sothat relative rotation of the mandrel 5t) and setting sleeve 61 withrespect to the nut 76 will effect lan unthreading of the nut from themandrel 50 before the nut is unthreaded from the internal threads '75ofthe setting sleeve structure. When the nut 70 unthreads from the settingsleeve structure 61, it is disposed below its thread 75, as describedhereinbelow, and when Unthreaded from the mandrel 50, it is disposedbelow the threaded portion 73 of the latter, as described hereinbelow.The threaded connections 72, '73 and 74, 75 between the nut 70 and themandrel 50 and between the nut and the setting sleeve 61 are left-handthreaded connections, so that right-hand rotation of the tubularrunning-in spring D and the mandrel Si), which will effect correspondingright-hand rotation of the setting sleeve 61, will causethe nut 70 tofeed relatively downwardly along the mandrel and the setting sleeve,until the nut has become unthreaded from the mandrel 50 and then hasbecome Unthreaded from the setting sleeve structure 61.

Initially, the parts occupy the relative position illustrated in FIGS.1a through 2b, in which the lower slips 12 and packing structure 23 arein their retracted position,

`and the upper slips 28 are held retracted by being encompassed by thelower portion of the setting sleeve structure 61. It is to be noted thatthe nut 70 `is then in its upper position in full threaded mesh with themandrel 50' Vand lalso in full threaded mesh with the upper portion ofthe internal threads 75 of the setting sleeve 61. The mandrel nut 53 hasbeen threaded fully within the packer box 58, the lower end 56 of themandrel engaging the body shoulder 57 adjacent to its threaded box. Theapparatus is run in the well casing, the friction drag springs 77resisting downward movement of the drag device 76 and of the controlsleeve 84 along the casing, so that the nut 70 engages the fingers 88 atthe lower ends of the control arms 86 at which time a downwardly facingshoulder 91 on the control sleeve is disposed a substantial distanceabove the upper end 92 of the setting Sleeve structure 61, the partsthen being in the position illustrated in FIGS. la, 1b and lc, and FIGS.2a and 2b', the drag device being pulled downwardly through the wellcasing by virtue of engagement of the control nut 70 with the fingers88. During lowering of the apparatus in the well casing, the mandrel 50and setting sleeve 61 cannot move longit5 tudinally with respect to eachother, which is also true of the well packer A itself, since it istightly threaded onto the mandrel nut 53. Accordingly, longitudinalmovement between the mandrel rand setting sleeve 61, on the one hand,and the well packer A, on the other hand, in both longitudinaldirections cannot occur, the lower portion of the setting sleeve 60being retained in its encompassed position around the upper segmentalslips 28, the latter being thereby retained in their retracted position.

During lowering of the apparatus in the well casing, any tendency ofdebris or foreign ysubstances in the latter to engage the well packer Aand tend to rotate it and thereby effect a disconnection of the packerbody 10 from the mandrel nut 53 is prevented, since the mandrel andpacker body are rotationally tied to one another through the radial pins64 engaging the sides of the slips 28, and because of the fact that theslip screws 62 are disposed within the lower slots 63 of the settingsleeve 60, which is rotationally coupled to the mandrel 50 through thekeyway and screw interconnection 68, 67. Thus, no relative movementbetween the packer A and the other parts can occur at this time, so thatassurance is had that the well packer can be run to its desired settinglocation in the well casing without fear of being inadvertently detachedfrom the mandrel 59.

When the location of the casing B is reached at which the well packer isto be anchored in packed-olf condition, the tubular running-in string Dand mandrel 5t), as well as the well packer A and the setting sleevemechanism 61, are elevated several inches. The friction drag springs 77prevent corresponding elevation of the control sleeve 84, so that thecontrol sleeve will then, in eifect, move relatively downwardly of theremaining mechanism to the extent at which .its shoulder 91 engages theupper end 92 of the setting sleeve 61, at which time the fingers 88 willbe disposed a substantial distance below the control nut 7G. The tubularrunning-in string D and mandrel 50 can now be rotated to the right. Suchrotation will also eect a rotation of the setting structure 61 becauseof the key and keyway interconnection 67, 68, the nut 70 remainingstationary, because of the resistance to turni ing oifered by the dragdevice 76, 84 coupled thereto. Since the threaded interconnections 72,'73 and 74, 75 between the nut 70 and mandrel 50 and between the nut andsleeve 71 are left hand, the nut 70 will be threaded relatively in adownward direction along the mandrel 50 and the sleeve 71, until the nutis completely Unthreaded from the external mandrel threads 73. However,to secure a release of the slips 28 from the setting sleeve 60, it islnecessary for the mandrel to shift downwardly relative to the latter.Accordingly, rotation of the mandrel 50 to the right is continued, suchrotation continuing to turn the setting sleeve structure 61 andeffecting a continued downward feeding of the nut 70 along the settingsleeve member 71 until it has become completely unthreaded therefrom andoccupies the position illustrated in FIG. 3. At this time, it is to benoted that there is a substantial distance between the mandrel thread7-3 and the upper end of the nut 70.

The parts have now been conditioned for release of the slips 2-8. Suchrelease occurs simply by lowering the tubular string D and mandrel 50,which will shift the well packer A, including its upper slips 28,downwardly, the setting sleeve 69 being prevented from moving downwardlyto any significant extent by engagement of the lower end of its internalthread 75 with the nut 7i), which is prevented from moving downwardly byresting upon the control sleeve iingers 8S, the control sleeve 84 beingprevented from moving downwardly by the frictional engagement of thesprings 77 against the wall of the well casing B. The downward shiftingof the body l0 of the tool and of the upper slips 28 from the -sleeve6i) allows the springs 45 to expand, shifting `the upper slips 2Soutwardly into engagement with the wall of the well casing, as disclosedin FIG. 6. At this they are located below the setting sleeve 60, whichis in a position to engage the slips and resist their upward movement inthe well casing. The tubular running-in string D and mandrel 50 are nowmoved upwardly, the packer body 10 moving upwardly with it, as well asthe upper expander 24 and the well packer parts therebelow, the upperexpander shifting upwardly behind the upper slips 28 and wedging themoutwardly into firm anchoring engagement with the wall of the wellcasing B. If the upper slips tend to slide along the wall of the wellcasing, they will move into engagement with the lower end of the settingsleeve 60. Upward movement of this sleeve is resisted by the frictiondrag device 76, since the upper end 92 of the setting sleeve structure61 is engaging the shoulder 91 of the control sleeve: 84, which iscoupled to the drag device. Accordingly, the upper expander 24 can wedgebehind the slips 281 and embed their wickers 38 into the wall of thewell casing.

The taking of a suficient upward strain on the mandrel 50 and body 10 ofthe tool will then Shear the screws 25 securing the upper expander tothe body, the body then moving upwardly and carrying the lower expander16 and lower lslips 12 upwardly with it, to shorten the packing sleeve23 and effect its lateral expansion into sealing engagement with thewall of the well casing, as well as with the periphery of the body.Upward movement of the body 10 relative to the upper expander 24 ispermitted by the one-way ratchet lock ring device 33. After the packingsleeve 23 has been expanded against the wall of the well casing, acontinuation of the upward strain on the mandrel 50 and the body 10 willeffect a shearing of the screws 1S, 17 attaching the lower expander 16to the body and the lower slips 12 to the lower expander, the bodyshifting the lower slips upwardly along the lower expander and outwardlyinto anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. As pointedout above, downward movement of the body 10 cannot occur, since itsdown- .'ard force is transmitted through the ratchet ring 33 to theupper expander 24, and through the packing structure 23, lower expander16 and lower slips 12 to the well casing B. Any tendency for the body 10to move upwardly is transmitted through the lower slips 12, lowerexpander 16 and packing structure 23 to the upper expander 24, andthrough the latter to the upper slips 28 and to the well casing.

The well packer A has now been anchored in packedoff condition in thewell casing B. The mandrel 50 can be released from the body by rotatingthe tubular run ning-in string D and the mandrel to the right, the nut53 threading upwardly along the body box 58 until it has been completelydisconnected therefrom, whereupon the tubular running-in string D can beraised, which will pull the mandrel 50 upwardly with it. A mandrelshoulder 95 may engage the lower end of the lower drag collar 81 to movethe drag device 76 upwardly with it, the control sleeve 84 also beingshifted upwardly, its fingers 88 engaging the nut 70 and carrying thelatter upwardly with it, the nut engaging the lower end of the internalthreads 75 of the setting sleeve structure 61 to carry the latterupwardly with it. At that, the parts may be so proportioned that thescrew 67 engages the setting sleeve structure 61 at the upper end of thekeyway or slot 68, carrying the setting Sleeve structure 61, as well asthe control sleeve 84 and drag device 71 upwardly with the mandrel. Themandrel 50 and the parts surrounding it can now be removed from the wellcasing, if desi-red.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that an lapparatus hasbeen provided which positively precludes inadvertent release and settingof the upper slips 28 until the tool has been appropriately manipulatedto secure their outward expansion. In the event of inadvertent twistingor turning of the tubtular string D in a righthand direction, there maybe some downward threading of the control nut 70 along the mandrel 50and the setting sleeve structure 61. However, at periodic intervalsduring lowering of the apparatus in the well bore, the tubtularrunning-in string may be turned reversely, or to the left, which willeffect a return feeding of the nut 70 to its initial position. With theexercise of the precaution noted, assurance is had that the control nut70 is always in a position coupling the mandrel 50 to the setting sleeve61 against any substantial relative longitudinal movement, so that thesetting sleeve remains in its position encompassing the slips 28,precluding their outward expansion. Moreover, the securing of the slips28 to the packer body against rotation because of the pins 64, and thefurther interconnecting of the slips with Ithe lower section 60 of thesetting sleeve 61 against rotation, as through use of the screws 62,effectively 'couples the mandrel 50 to the body 10 against relativerotation through the mandrel screw 67, setting sleeve structure 61, slipstop screws 62, and pins 64, thereby preventing relative turning betweenthe mandrel and the body of the tool, which might otherwise effect arelease of the coupling nut 53 from the body box 5S, as during loweringof the apparatus in the well casing. The setting sleeve structure 61 notonly insures retention of the upper slips 28 in their retracted positionuntil their release is purposely desired, but the setting sleevestructure also aids in insuring the anchoring of the slips :against thewell casing by offering resistance to their up- 1ward movement afterthey have been released, insuring the firm upward wedging of the upperexpander 24 into and behind the upper slips. The entire combination isstrong and sturdy in structure, and is yet comparatively economical tomanufacture. Expansion of the slips 28 is effected by a spring devicewhich is economical to produce and which is readily assemblable behindthe slips, being retained in the slip grooves 44 to maintain lthe slipsegments in transverse alignment during and after their outwardexpansion into engagement with the wall of the well casing.

I claim:

1. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body adapted tobe lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; normally retractedmeans on said body and expandable laterally outwardly of said body;spring means for shifting said normally retracted means laterallyoutwardly of said body; retainer means movable 1ongitudinally relativeto said body and encompassing said normally retracted means to preventlateral outward expansion of said normally retracted means, saidretainer means being movable relatively upwardly of said body fromencompassing relation to said normally retracted means; meansinterconnecting said retainer means and body to prevent relativelongitudinal movement between said body and retainer means to hold saidretainer means in position encompassing said normally retracted means;and means for releasing said interconnecting means to allow relativelongitudinal movement between said retainer means and body and relativeupward removal of said retainer means from encompassing relation to saidnormally retracted means to permit said spring means to shift saidnormally retracted means.

2. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: :a body adaptedto be lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; normallyretracted means on said body and expandable laterally outwardly of saidbody; spring means for shifting said normally retracted means laterallyoutwardly of said body; retainer means movable longitudinally relativeto said body and encompassing said normally retracted means to preventlateral outward expansion of said normally retracted means, saidretainer means bein-g movable relatively upwardly of said body fromencompassing relation to said normally retracted means; meansinterconnecting said retainer means and lbody to prevent relativelongitudinal movement between said body and retainer means to hold saidretainer means in position encompassing said normally retracted means;and means responsive to rotation of body by the said lrunning-in stringfor releasing said interconnecting means to allow relative longitudinalmovement between said retainer means and body to relatively shift saidretainer means upwardly of said normally retracted means fromencompassing relation therewith to permit said spring means to shiftsaid normally retracted means.

3. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body adapted tobe lowered in the well bore on a runningin string; an expander on saidbody; expansible slip means engageable by said expander to anchor saidbody in the well bore; spring means for shifting said slip meanslaterally outwardly of said body; retainer means movable longitudinallyrelative to said body and encompassing said slip means to retain saidslip means in retracted position, said retainer means being movablerelatively upwardly of said body from encompassing relation to said slipmeans; means interconnecting said retainer means and body to preventrelative longitudinal movement between said body and retainer means tohold said retainer means in position encompassing said slip means; andmeans for releasing said interconnecting means to allow relativelongitudinal movement between said retainer means and body and relativeupward removal of said retainer means from encompassing relation to saidslip means to permit said spring means to shift said slip meanslaterally outwardly of said body.

4. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body adapted tobe lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; an expander on saidbody; expansible slip means engageable by said expander to anchor saidbody in the well bore; spring means for shifting said slip meanslaterally outwardly of said body; retainer means movable longitudinallyrelative to said body and encompassing said slip means to retain saidslip means in retracted position, said retainer means being movablerelatively upwardly of said body from encompassing relation to said slipmeans; means interconnecting said retainer means and body to preventrelative longitudinal movement between said body and retainer means tohold said retainer means in position encompassing said slip means; andmeans responsive to rotation of said body by the running-in string forreleasing said interconnecting means and allow relative longitudinalmovement between said interconnecting means and body to relatively shiftsaid retainer means upwardly of said slip means from encompassingrelation therewith to permit said spring means to shift said slip means.

5. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansadapted to be lowered in the Well bore on a running-in string; normallyretracted means on said body means and expandable laterally outwardly ofsaid body means; spring means for shifting said normally retracted meanslaterally outwardly of said body means; retainer means encompassing saidnormally retracted means to prevent lateral outward expansion of saidnormally retracted means from its normally retracted position; saidretainer means being movable relatively upwardly of said body fromencompassing relation to said normally retracted means; means releasablyconnecting said retainer means to said body means to prevent relativeupward removal of said retainer means from its position encompassingsaid normally retracted means; and means for releasing said releasablemeans to permit relative upward removal of said retainer means fromencompassing relation to said normally retracted means to permit saidspring means to shift said normally retracted means.

6. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansadapted to be lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; normallyretracted means on said body means movable longitudinally therewith andexpandable laterally outwardly of said body means; spring means for 10shifting said normally retracted means laterally outwardly of said bodymeans; retainer means encompassing said normally retracted means toprevent lateral out-ward expansion of said normally retracted means;said body means and normally retracted means being movable relativelydownwardly of said retainer means to remove said normally retractedmeans from said retainer means; means releasably connecting saidretainer means to said body means to prevent said body means from movingsaid normally retracted means downwardly of said retainer means from itsposition encompassed by said retainer means; and means for releasingsaid releasable means to permit downward movement of said body means andnormally retracted means with respect to said retainer means to shiftsaid normally retracted means from its encompassed relation by saidretainer means to permit said spring means to shift said normallyretracted means.

7. ln well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansadapted to be lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; normallyretracted means on said body means movable longitudinally therewith andexpandable laterally outwardly of said body means; spring means forshifting said normally retracted means laterally outwardly of said bodymeans; retainer means engaging said normally retracted means to preventlateral outward expansion of said normally retracted means; said bodymeans and normally retracted means being movable relatively downwardlyof said retainer means to remove said normally retracted means fromengagement with said retainer means; means releasably connecting saidretainer means to said body means to prevent said body means from movingsaid normally retracted means downwardly of said retainer means from itsposition engaged by said retainer means; and means for releasing saidreleasable means to permit downward movement of said body means andnormally retracted means with respect to said retainer means to shiftsaid normally retracted means from its engaged relation by said retainermeans to perm-it said spring means to shift said normally retractedmeans.

S. ln well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansadapted to be lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; anexpander on said body means; expans-ible slip means on said body meansengageable by said expander to anchor said body means in the well bore;spring means for shifting said slip means laterally outwardly of .saidbody means; retainer means engaging said slip means to prevent saidspring means from shifting said slip means laterally outwardly; saidbody and slip means being movable relatively downwardly of said retainermeans to disengage said slip means from said retainer means; meansreleasably connecting said retainer means to said body means to preventsaid body means from moving said slip means downwardly of said retainermeans from its position engage-d by said retainer means; and means forreleasing said releasable means to permit downward movement of said bodymeans and slip means with respect to said retainer means to shift saidslip means from its engaged relation by said retainer means to permitsaid spring means to shift said slip means.

9. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body adapted tobe lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; normally retractedmeans on said body 'and expandable laterally outwardly of said body;spring means for shifting said normally retracted means laterallyoutwardly of said body; retainer means movable longitudinally relativeto said body and including a sleeve encompassing said normally retractedmeans to prevent lateral outward expansion of said normally retractedmeans; said sleeve being movable relatively upwardly of said body fromencompassing relation to said normally retracted means; meansinterconnecting said retainer means and body to prevent relativelongitudinal movement between said body and retainer means to hold saidretainer means in position encompassing said normally retracted means;and means for releasing said intercon- -necting means to allow relativelongitudinal movement 'between said retainer means and 'body andrelative upward removal of said sleeve from encompassing relation tosaid normally retracted means to permit said spring means to shift saidnormally retracted means.

10. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body adaptedto be lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; an expander onsaid body; expansible slip means engageable by said expander to anchorsaid body in the well bore; spring means for shifting said slip 'meanslaterally outwardly vof said body; retainer means movable longitudinallyrelative to said body and including a sleeve encompassing said slipmeans to retain said slip means in retracted position; said sleeve beingmovable yrelatively upwardly of said body from encompasing relation tosaid slip means; means interconnecting said retainer means and body toprevent relative longitudinal movement between said body and retainermeans to hold said retainer means in position encompassing said slipmeans; and means for releasing7 said interconnecting 'means to allowrelative longitudinal movement between said retainer means and body andrelative upward removal of said sleeve from encompassing relation tosaid slip means to permit said spring means to shift said slip meanslaterally outwardly of said body.

1l. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansadapted to be lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; normallyretracted means on said body means movable longitudinally therewith andexpandable laterally outwardly of said body means; spring means forshifting said normally retracted means lateral- `ly outwardly of saidbody means; retainer means including a sleeve encompassing said normallyretracted means to prevent lateral outward expansion of said normallyretracted means; said sleeve being vmovable relatively upwardly of saidbody from encompassing relation to said -normally retracted means; meansreleasably connecting said retainer means to said body means to preventsaid body means from moving said normally retracted means relativelydownwardly of said sleeve from its position encompassed by said sleeve;and means for releasing said releasable means to permit downwardmovement of said body means and normally retracted means with respect tosaid sleeve to shift said normally retracted means from its encompassedrelation by said sleeve to permit said spring means to shift saidnormally retracted means.

12. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore:

body means adapted to be lowered in the well bore on a `running-instring; normally retracted means on said body means expandable laterallyoutwardly of said body means; means on said body means engaging saidnormally retracted means to hold said normally retracted means inexpanded position in response to vlongitudinally directed force imposedby said body means; spring means for shifting said normally retractedmeans laterally outwardly of said body means; retainer means engagingsaid normally retracted means to prevent expansion of said normallyretracted means by said spring means, said retainer means being movablerelatively upwardly of said body means and said normally retracted meansto permit expansion of said normally retracted means; means for shiftingsaid retainer means relatively upwardly from said normally retractedmeansto permit said spring means to shift said normally retracted meanslaterally outwardly and in a position to be reengaged by said retainermeans and prevent said normally retracted means from moving upwardlypast said retainer means, whereby upwardly directed force imposed bysaid body means on said normally retracted means holds said normallyretracted means laterally outwardly.

13. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansadapted to be lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; anexpander on said body means; expandable slip means engageable by saidexpander to anchor said body means in the well bore in response tolongitudinally directed force imposed by said body means; spring meansfor shifting said slip means laterally outwardly of said body means;retainer means including a sleeve encompassing said slip means toprevent expansion of said slip means by said spring means, said sleevebeing movable relatively upwardly of said body and said slip means topermit expansion of said slip means; means for shifting said sleeverelatively upwardly of said body means and from said slip means topermit said spring means to shift said slip means laterally outwardlyand to a position to be reengaged by said sleeve which prevents saidslip means from moving upwardly past said sleeve, whereby longitudinallydirected force imposed by said body means on said expander means andslip means holds said slip means laterally outwardly.

14. In well apparatus adapted to ybe set in a well bore: `body meansincluding a mandrel adapted to be secured to a lrunning-in string [forlowering the apparatus in the well bore 4and a body attached to saidmandrel; normally retracted means on said body expandable laterallyoutwardly of said body; spring means for shifting said normallyretracted means laterally outwardly of said body; a retainer engagingsaid normally retracted means to prevent expansion of said norm-allyretracted means by said spring means; means releasably connecting saidretainer to said mandrel to prevent relative shifting of said retainerfrom engagement with said normally retracted means; said releas-ablemeans being releasable in response to rotation of said mandrel to permitsaid mandrel to shift said body and normally retracted meanslongitudinally of said retainer to release said normally retracted means.from said retainer.

15. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansincluding a mandrel adapted to be secured to a running-in string forlowering the apparatus in the well bore and a body attached to saidmandrel; normally retracted means on said body expandable laterallyoutwardly of said body; spring means for shifting said normallyIretracted means laterally outwardly of said body; a retainer engagingsaid normally lretracted means to .prevent expansion of said normallyretracted means by said spring means; means threadedly lconnected tosaid mandrel and retainer to prevent relative longitudinal movement ofsaid mandrel .and retainer to hold said retainer engaged with saidnormally retracted means; said connected means being unthreaded from atleast one of vsaid mandrel and retainer in response to rotation of saidmandrel to permit said mandrel lto shift said body and normallyretracted means longitudinally of said retainer to release said normallyretracted means from said retainer.

16. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansincluding a mandrel adapted to be secured to a running-in string forlowering the apparatus in the well bore and a body attached to saidmandrel; an expander on said body; normally retracted slip means on saidbody `engageable by said expander to anchor said body in the well bore;spring means for shifting said slip means laterally outwardly of saidbody; ka retainer engaging said slip means to prevent expansion of saidslip means by said spring means; means threadedly connected to saidmandrel and retainer toprevent relative longitudinal movement of saidmandrel and retainer to hold said retainer engaged with said Vslipmeans; said connected means'being Unthreaded from at least one of Vsaidmandrel and retainer in response to rotation of said mandrel to :permitsaid mandrel to shift said body and slip means longitudinally of saidretainer to release said slip means from said retainer.

17. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansincluding a -mandrel adapted to be secured to arunningin string forlowering the apparatus in the well bore and a body attached to saidmandrel; an expander on said body; normally .retracted slip means onsaid body engageable by said expander to anchor said body in the wellbore; spring means for shifting said slip means laterally outwardly ofsaid body; a retainer engaging said slip means to prevent expansion ofsaid slip means by said spring means; means threadedly connected to said-mandrel and retainer to prevent relative longitudinal movement of saidmandrel and retainer to hold said retainer engaged with said slip means;said connected means being lUnthreaded from at least one of said mandreland retainer in response to rotation of said mandrel to permit saidmandrel to shift said :body and slip means 1ongitudinally of saidretainer to release said slip means from said retainer; means on sa-idbody engaging said slip means to prevent relative rotation between saidslip means and body when said slip means is in retracted position; andmeans connecting said slip means and retainer to prevent relativero-tation therebetween.

18. In well apparatus adapted .to be set in a well bore: a body adaptedto be lowered in the -well bore on a running-in string; an expander onsaid body; segmental slips engageable lby said expander to anchor saidbody in the well bore, said slips having an internal circumferentialgroove; overlapping band spning elements in said gro-ove extendingbetween .adjacent slip segments and constantly tending to shi-ft saidslip segments laterally outwardly of said body; retainer means engagingsaid slip segments to retain said slip segments in retracted position;and -means for disengaging said retainer means .from said slip segmentsto permit said band spring elements to shift said slip segmentslaterally outward-ly of said body.

19. In well apparatus adapted to Ybe set in a well bore: a body adaptedto be lowered in Ithe well bore on a running-in string; an expander onsaid body; slip segments engagea-ble by said expander to anchor saidbody in the Well bore, said slip segments having an internalcircumferential groove and also having longitudinal grooves intersectingsaid circumferential lgroove; overlapping band spring elements in saidcircumferential groove extending lbetween adjacent slip 'segments and'constantly tending to shift said slip segments laterally outwardly ofsaid body, each of said spring elements having yan outwardly directedportion disposed in a longitudinal groove of a slip segment to preventsubstantial relative circumferential movement between said element andsaid segments; retainer means engaging said segments -to retain saidsegments in retracted position; and means for disengaging said retainermeans `from said slip segments to permit said band spring elements toshift 'said slip segments laterally ontwardly of said body.

20. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body adaptedto be lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; normallyretracted means on said body and expandable laterally outwardly of saidbody; means for shifting said normally retra-cted means laterallyoutwardly of said body; retainer means movable longitudinally relativeto said body and encompassing said normally retracted means to preventlateral outward expansion of said normally retracted means, saidretainer means being movable relatively upwardly of said body fromencompassing relation to said normally retracted means; meansinterconnecting said retainer means and body to prevent relativelongitudinal movement between said body and retainer means to hold saidretainer means in position encompassing said normally retracted means;and means for releasing said interconnecting means to allow relativelongitudinal movement between said retainer means and body and relativeupward removal of said retaining means from encompassing relation tosaid normally retracted means to permit said shifting means to shiftsaid normally retracted means.

2li. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: a body adaptedto be lowered in the well bore on a running-in string; normallyretracted means on said body and expandable laterally outwardly of saidbody; means for shifting said normally retracted means laterallyoutwardly of said body; retainer means movable longitudinally relativeto said body and including a sleeve encompassing said normally retractedmeans to prevent lateral outward expansion of said normally retractedmeans, said sleeve being movable relatively upwardly of said body fromencompassing relation to said normally retracted means; meansinterconnecting said retainer means and body to prevent relativelongitudinal movement between said body and retainer means to hold saidretainer means in position encompassing said normally retracted means;and means for releasing said interconnect-ing means to allow relativelongitudinal movement between said retainer means and body and relativeupward removal of said sleeve from encompassing relation to saidnormally retracted means to permit said shifting means to shift saidnormally retracted means.

22. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore 18 body meansincluding a mandrel member adapted to be secured to a running-in stringfor lowering the apparatus in the well bor-e and a body attached to saidmandrel member; normally retracted means on said body expandablelaterally outwardly of said body; spring means for shifting saidnormally retracted means laterally outwardly of said body; a retainermember engaging said normally retracted means to prevent expansion ofsaid normally retarcted means by said spring means; means threadedlyconnected to one of said members and engaging said other member toprevent relative longitudinal movement of said mandrel member andretainer member to hold said retainer member engaged with said normallyretracted means; said connected means being unthreaded from said one ofsaid members in response to rotation of said mandrel member to permitsaid mandrel member to shift said body member and normally retractedmeans longitudinally of said retainer member to release said normallyretracted means from said retainer member.

23, In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansincluding a mandrel member adapted to be secured to a running-in stringfor lowering the apparatus in the well bore and a body attached to saidmandrel member; an expander on said body; normally retracted slip meanson said body engageable by said expander to anchor said body in the wellbore; spring means for shifting said slip means laterally outwardly ofsaid body; a retainer member engaging said slip means to preventexpansion of said slip means by said spring means; means threadedlyconnected to one of said members and engaging said other member toprevent realtive longitudinal movement of said mandrel member andretainer member to hold said retainer member engaged with said slipmeans; said connected means being unthreaded from said one of saidmembers in response to rotation of said mandrel member to permit saidmandrel member to shift said body member and slip means longitudinallyof said retainer member to release said slip means from said retainermember.

24. In well apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body meansincluding a mandrel member adapted to be secured to a running-in stringfor lowering the apparatus in the well bore and a body att-ached to saidmandrel member; an expander on said body; normally retracted slip meanson said body engageable by said expander to anchor said body in the wellbore; spring means for shifting said slip means laterally outwardly ofsaid body; a retainer member engaging said slip means to preventexpansion of said slip means by said spring means; means threadedlyconnected to one of said members and engaging said other member toprevent relative longitudinal movement of said mandrel member andretainer member to hold said retainer member engaged with said slipmeans; said connected means being unthreaded from said one of saidmembers in response to rotation of said mandrel member to permit saidmandrel member to shift said body and slip means'longitudinally of saidretainer member to release said slip means from said retainer member;means on said body engaging said slip means to prevent relative rotationbetween said slip means and body when said slip means is in retractedposition; and mean-s connecting said slip rmeans and retainer member toprevent relative rotation therebetween.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES' PATENTS 1,723,600 8/1929Cant 166-138 16 McManis 166-138 Otis 166-214 Weber 166-138 X Dollison166--136 Myers 166-214 X Skinner 166--214 Carter et al. 166-136 CHARLESE. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner. 10 BENJAMIN HERSH, BENJAMIN BENDETT,

Examiners.

18. IN WELL APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE SET IN A WALL BORE: A BODY ADAPTED TO BE LOWERED IN THE WELL BORE ON A RUNNING-IN STRING; AN EXPANDER ON SAID BODY; SEGMENTAL SLIPS ENGAGEABLE BY SAID EXPANDER TO ANCHOR SAID BODY IN THE WELL BORE, SAID SLIPS HAVING AN INTERNAL CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVE; OVERLAPPING BAND SPRING ELEMENTS IN SAID GROOVE EXTENDING BETWEEN ADJACENT SLIP SEGMENTS AND CONSTANTIALLY TENDING TO SHIFT SAID SLIP SEGMENTS LATERALLY OUTWARDLY OF SAID BODY; RETAINER MEANS ENGAGING SAID SLIP SEGMENTS TO RETAIN SAID SLIP SEGMENTS IN RETRACTED POSITION; AND MEANS FOR DISENGAGING SAID RETAINER MEANS FROM SAID SLIP SEGMENTS TO PERMIT SAID BAND SPRING ELEMENTS TO SHIFT SAID SLIP SEGMENTS LATERALLY OUTWARDLY OF SAID BODY. 